Western Star Truck Issues And Fixes

Oscar the KW · Aug 24, 2018

vikingswen said: ↑

Well, I fixed all my Western Star issues. Finally I have no more hvac system that is deafening, fights between front and back and fogs up the glass. The solution was to sell the truck and get a brand that actually did a good job redesigning their truck. Western Star didn't give a #### about their customers since they crank out the same poor product for the last six years and haven't made any improvements.

I still have the Magnum moose bumper sitting in the shop and the Speakers LED head lights (high and low beam). If anybody is interested let me know.
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What did you end up buying?

If I buy another I’m thinking of going back to a KW or maybe even trying a Volvo.

vikingswen · Aug 24, 2018

Oscar the KW said: ↑

What did you end up buying?

If I buy another I’m thinking of going back to a KW or maybe even trying a Volvo.
Click to expand...

I bought a 2019 New Cascadia. DD15 505hp DT-12 transmission. In my opinion the best choice right now after they re did the design. I feel like Detroit has the least amount of issues with the emission stuff. Engine transmission and axles are all Detroit. There is no finger pointing who has to fix it. It's all in house.

I picked it up on Monday had a new Carrier APU put on and just adding all my stuff to it. I bought a Clearmotion seat to help my neck too. The Cascadia rides so much better than my 4900 even with over 40" less wheelbase.

I bought the EW-4 and TC-4 warranty and have coverage for 5 years or 550,000 miles.

Star4900 · Aug 25, 2018

I feel you pain. Someone needs to send this thread to someone at Western Star.

I sure miss my Internationals.

vikingswen · Aug 26, 2018

I don't think they care. They would have made changes if they would be concerned. Earlier this year a guy from Fairbanks bought a new 4900 and had the same hvac issues than my truck after complaining and the dealer calling the factory they told them that they had a service bulletin to fix that. The service bulletin was from 2016 and the truck was a 2018. That says it all right there.

25(2)+2 · Aug 26, 2018

We had some 2005s and maybe 2006s, not sure about which were which, they had a few double banks for teams.

The shop boys who used to be here wanted them gone. I drove a few of them, the 13 speed they had was good, not impressed with the rest, but the air horn cable was located better, that's about all I liked about it, and the Cascadia is just as solid and rattle free. Drivers are much happier with those.

The local dealership is selling straight trucks to milk haulers and dump trucks to the construction companies, not many sleeper cabs.

Star4900 · Aug 26, 2018

And I love the trucks. I wouldn't want them to change the looks or the interior or dash. (other than make a decent cab filter) Just put some care into building them and make everything work like it's supposed to.

Last two good trucks I ever owned was my 9900i and Paystar 5600i. But who knows, maybe International has gone downhill too? Seems like they are all junk now. Been hearing a lot of complaints from my friends that bought new Kenworth's. Said they aren't built like they used to be either.
And the contractor I haul for bought some new Mack's and even they had parts falling off every time they went to work.

That's what you get for your 200 grand.

Rideandrepair · Sep 5, 2018

rbrtwbstr said: ↑

Most of the repairs done on our trucks are done in our own shop. But on the rare occasion we do take it to the dealer, which is Midway Truck center in Bethel Pa, we generally have awesome service from them.
Our two Stars are only daycabs, so some of the issues we haven't had to deal with. But the HVAC system is very poor, the temp control valve is garbage plastic which usually leaks. And the cable going to it, while we haven't had an issue yet, I could foresee problems as they age. The blower motor is, and always has been noisy. I found spraying some WD-40 in it helps to quiet it some, but it always comes back. And the cab filters are virtually useless. Mine were replaced in January, and two days later I can write my name is the dust on the dash. I have since taped some dryer sheets from home around the filters, and they seem to help, and give a pleasant odor when new. You mentioned the defroster not blowing much air, have you cleaned the cab filter and ductwork? I only suggest this because that alone worked wonders on my truck.
The Windows frosting up hasn't been too hateful, as our temps usually don't go much lower than 0 Fahrenheit. But they do fog up at around 10 degrees or so. I flip both Sun visors down and run the defrost on high for a while, and that usually takes care of it.

I have had the corrosion in the headlight harness, causing the left headlight to go out, while the truck was in warranty. The dealer replaced the plug, and put grease in it, but the next winter, it happened again, so our mechanic cut the plugs off and spliced the wires. Haven't had an issue since then.

The heated mirrors suck. Both mine were replaced under warranty, but it didn't help any. The driver's side has been replaced a second time this past winter and so far it seems to work better than the last two.

One other thing I hate is the defroster vents between the dash and windshield. The large piece of plastic in there works loose over time and rattles like crazy.

Have you had the paint peel off the roof yet? That started after the first winter with mine. I rinse the truck daily, because of the work we do. So I can't attribute that to road salt

But overall, I wont drive any other truck anymore. The Star is by far the nicest riding truck I have ever been in, and aside from the minor issues it has, I still feel it's one of the toughest trucks on the road.
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I sprayed WD 40 on a failing blower motor on my 92 WS it worked so I sorted a little more and it burst into flames Lol Be careful with that

Image · Sep 22, 2018

vikingswen said: ↑

Well, I fixed all my Western Star issues. Finally I have no more hvac system that is deafening, fights between front and back and fogs up the glass. The solution was to sell the truck and get a brand that actually did a good job redesigning their truck. Western Star didn't give a #### about their customers since they crank out the same poor product for the last six years and haven't made any improvements.

I still have the Magnum moose bumper sitting in the shop and the Speakers LED head lights (high and low beam). If anybody is interested let me know.
Click to expand...

What model star does the number fit? I have an 07 4900EX. Send me pics of it fits please... Steve AT FargoSnow DOT com

Star4900 · Sep 22, 2018

It's almost like they are trying to kill the brand like what Volvo is doing to Mack, because our Mexican built Freightliners have way better build quality than the Stars.

rbrtwbstr · Sep 22, 2018

We now have 7 4900ex's, all daycab gliders. 2 are 2013, one is a 2017 and the rest are 2018's.

All seem to have one recurring issue. The windshields leak. And nobody seems to know how to fix them.

But I will say, the last couple's ride is incredible. They have a shorter leaf spring up front, with a higher arch. We all figured they'd ride rough, but it's quite the opposite. But the turn radius sucks.

Overall, for the money, I guess the owner figured they're still the best value for what we do. I know I won't give mine up anytime soon.

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